Vaccine for tuberculosis: Up-regulation of IL-15 by Ag85A and not by ESAT-6

IFN-γ is the most commonly measured cytokine released by the cells to define the cellular immune responses induced by the vaccine candidates for tuberculosis. IL-15 acts as a co-stimulator in IFN-γ production by NK cells and may therefore be important in the control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that requires IFN-γ for clearance. The aim of the study is to determine whether Ag85A can also stimulate the innate immune response through the expression of IL-15, a cytokine that bridges the innate and adaptive immune systems. The expression of IL-15 was up regulated by about 4 fold in PPD+ healthy controls as compared with TB patients. Significantly higher expression of IL-15 mRNA in the Ag85A stimulated cells not only in PPD+ healthy controls but also in TB patients substantiates the use of Ag85A as a vaccine candidate over ESAT-6.